PrEP Access for Only $30? It's Possible Thanks to Nurx

Have you been thinking about taking PrEP but haven't yet pulled the trigger? Whether it's because you're not sure you can afford it, you don't live near a clinic that offers PrEP, or think the whole process of getting tested every three months may be a huge time-suck, the telemedicine company Nurx is making a good case to put PrEP back at the top of your to-do list.

Nurx is the only company that allows you to consult with medical providers to determine if PrEP is right for you, complete the necessary lab work, receive and fill your prescription, and have PrEP delivered straight to your door — all without needing to visit a physical health clinic, lab, or pharmacy.

Additionally, Nurx is offering its PrEP service line for only $30 for new patients, commemorating the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day. In order to break down barriers to treatment and prevention, Nurx offers an at-home test kit that lets you complete all the required lab work (including STI screening) from the convenience and discretion of your own home. Nurx is offering the at-home test kit for $30 from December 1 through December 7; the kit typically costs $199 for those paying out of pocket.

"We're committed to making sure everyone has access to the care they need, and World AIDS Day provides us with an opportunity to unite in the fight against the escalating HIV rate," said Nurx CEO and co-founder Hans Gangeskar. "PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV and is significantly underutilized in many communities, especially in areas of the country which are seeing the highest incidence of new HIV infections. Having control over your health is a basic right and something everyone deserves, regardless of how much it may cost."

It's worth noting that aside from the kit, PrEP is an expensive medication for patients paying out of pocket, often costing upwards of $2,000 for a 30-day supply. However, Nurx is dedicated to making PrEP affordable for everyone. Their team will help you navigate the various payment assistance programs available for those interested in PrEP. And according to the company, the vast majority of Nurx PrEP patients pay little to nothing for their medication each month.

Here's something to consider on the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day: less than 10 percent of people of the 1.2 million Americans who may benefit from PrEP take the medication. With 40,000 new cases of HIV every year, we should all be doing what we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Especially when we don't even need to leave the house or drain our bank accounts.

In this edition of Ask a Doc, sexual health expert and physician in residence at Roman Health Dr. Michael Reitano shines the spotlight on how sexual health studies handle erectile dysfunction in same sex relationships-emphasis on relationships.